Diddy Kong Racing

Diddy Kong Racingis aracing video gamedeveloped and published byRarefor theNintendo 64. It was released on 21 November 1997 in Japan and Europe and 24 November 1997 in North America. The game is set in “Timber’s Island” and revolves aroundDiddy Kongand his friends’ attempt to defeat the intergalactic pig-wizard antagonist, Wizpig, through winning a series of races. The player can take control of any of the featured characters throughout the game.Diddy Kong Racingfeatures five worlds with four racetracks each, and the ability to drive a car, hovercraft, or pilot an aeroplane.

Development of the game began after the release ofKiller Instinct 2, and was intended to be areal-time strategygame known asWild Cartoon Kingdomduring early stages. As time progressed, the game shifted from aWalt Disney World-influenced racing game to a unique title namedPro-Am 64, in which Nintendo had no involvement with. Due to the delays ofBanjo-Kazooie, Rare felt that they needed a strongerintellectual propertyto attract a wider audience for a game scheduled to release before Christmas 1997, thus making the decision to revolve a game around the character of Diddy Kong.

Diddy Kong Racingreceived critical acclaim upon release. The graphics, audio and gameplay were the most praised aspects of the game, however minor criticism was directed at its repetitiveness. The game has sold 4.8 million copies since release and stands as the Nintendo 64’seighth best-selling game. A cancelled sequel,Donkey Kong Racing, was in development for theGameCube, however it was abandoned afterMicrosoft‘s purchase of Rare for £375 million in 2002. Anenhanced remakefor theNintendo DStitledDiddy Kong Racing DSwas released worldwide in 2007.